Seeking Understanding During Problem Gambling Awareness Month
Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) takes place every March because of the increase in gambling and sports betting this time of year. Betting on sports was legalized in 2018, and with the rise of AI, placing bets on a game or a play has never been easier. It’s also never been more addictive, as algorithms analyze each bet placed, offering ads to entice individual betters.
Official sports wagering in the U.S. rose 28% in 2024 to $14 billion, a staggering sum representing serious financial losses for Americans with households to run. And internet searches for “gambling addiction” have risen 23% since 2018. In fact, around 5.5% of women and 12% of men “experience some level of harm from gambling” according to the World Health Organization.
Seeking Understanding
The theme of PGAM this year is Seeking Understanding, with the goal of encouraging empathy, reducing barriers to treatment, and providing support to those affected by gambling-related harm. Learn about resources in Pennsylvania from the Council on Problem Gambling of PA, including free individual counseling.
Thank you to Dr. Harry Levant for these highlights- find him at harrylevant.com.